Just My Type

by Synithia Williams

  Aaron touched her arm when she tried to brush past him. “What was that all about?”

  She pulled out of his grasp. She loved her brother, but now wasn’t the time for his advice. “Freddy’s being difficult.”

  “Fred is never difficult. Is there something going on between you two?”

  She raised her chin. “Does it matter?”

  Aaron held up his hands. “Not to me, I’ve been expecting it for years.”

  “You can’t be serious. You guys are always threatening to kill any guy who looks at me too long.”

  “What are we supposed to do, offer you up on a platter? Just because I’m protective of you doesn’t mean I’m unreasonable. I have always seen the potential between you two.” Aaron leaned down to meet her eye. “Just answer one question. Do you really like him, or is this a game?”

  She met her brother’s stare head on. “I love him.”

  Holy crap, she did. She waited for the regret, or doubt about saying it out loud to Aaron. It didn’t come. How long had she loved him? She tried to remember a time when she didn’t love Freddy. From the moment he’d walked through the door after playing basketball with Aaron when they were ten and she was five she’d liked him. And over time it had changed into something deeper, a love that she let out once only to lock away when he tossed it back. That was the reason why she’d never admitted to loving Freddy before, because she knew how painful it was to love him and not have him feel the same. But now he wanted her. He’d admitted it, and she didn’t turn away from second chances.

  “Janiyah … ” Aaron said.

  “I do. I always have, I just never thought I’d have a chance. Now I’ve got to figure out what to do about it.”

  Aaron stared for a few minutes before nodding. “You’ll figure it out.” He came over and draped his arm around her shoulder. “Come on, let’s go in and get the rest of Mom’s things and go.”

  The memory of her dad in the hospital bed earlier came back. Once again tears threatened. “I can’t believe he almost didn’t ... ”

  He squeezed her shoulder. “He made it, and before long he’ll be back here ordering us around.”

  She let out a wobbly laugh. “Maybe he’ll order me to marry Freddy. Then everything will work out.”

  “Joking about Dad ordering you to marry and there’s no derision in your voice. You must really like Fred.”

  Yeah, but what good was that if he didn’t love her back?

  CHAPTER 21

  “Janiyah, did you get a good picture of the Ben Wa Balls?”

  Janiyah shook her head to clear it and turned to Mrs. Driggers. “Sorry, what?”

  Mrs. Driggers crossed the room to place a hand on Janiyah’s shoulder. “I asked three times if you got a picture of the Ben Wa Balls.”

  “Oh, sorry, Mrs. Driggers. I’m not much help today.”

  She was no help at all today. Too many distractions in her brain. Her dad was back home after eight days in the hospital. As Aaron predicted he was ordering them all to quit fussing over him, but she saw the happiness in his face when he thought no one was looking. His release was a blessing after the touch and go moment during surgery.

  Now that her dad was recovering at home, she couldn’t help but stress about the situation with Freddy, how stiff they were around each other at work. She hated the way she had to pretend it didn’t bother her when Liz called to say he’d contacted Missy, and her boss was smitten. Or how she continued to ignore Gerald’s calls in a vain wish that Freddy would snap out of it and realize they should be together.

  “What’s on your mind?” The plastic cover on Mrs. Driggers’s couch squeaked as she sat down.

  “It’s nothing.”

  “Is it between you and Fredrick? Don’t look so surprised. I’ve noticed you haven’t gone over there much.”

  “We see each other enough. I work with him now … ”

  “Excuses. I’m too old to pussyfoot around. You’re crazy about that man, and he’s crazy about you. He just needs a kick in the head to realize it.”

  Thank you. Here was validation that she wasn’t the only one who saw it. “I’ve tried, Mrs. Driggers, and he turned me away. He doesn’t want us to be more than friends.”

  “Foolishness. Quit sitting over here pretending to work when you should be over there making love to that man.” Mrs. Driggers leaned in and raised her eyebrows. “And from what I hear through the walls, he’s good at that.”

  “Mrs. Driggers!”

  Though she wasn’t that surprised by the lady’s forward speaking. After the success of her website, Janiyah convinced Mrs. Driggers to try a Facebook page. At first Mrs. Driggers hesitated, but once Janiyah convinced her that she could hold discussions about her products she’d agreed. Now the woman posted a sex question of the day, held relationship discussions on the weekend, and posted man candy pictures every Monday. Mrs. Driggers’s sexy advice was a hit.

  “If you’d overheard what I have, you’d already be over there.” Mrs. Driggers stood and picked up her purse. “If it’ll ease your discomfort, I’ll go out for the afternoon so you don’t have to worry about me eavesdropping. Time I paid Jessie Lyles a visit and get my freak on.” She opened the door and stood waiting. “Go on, girl, go get him.”

  Janiyah jumped up from the chair and followed Mrs. Driggers out. Her neighbor gave her a pat on the back before going down the stairs.

  She hesitated outside of Freddy’s door. How many times was she going to throw herself at him only to have him push her away?

  She spun and faced her door. But what about the way he made her feel? How one look sent her heart into damn near cardiac arrest? Or how her day was perfect if she made that dimple appear.

  She turned back to his door. Would they really screw everything up if they got together? Were they really compatible?

  Perfect compatibility was overrated. She wanted someone who would challenge her, someone she could laugh with, a person who made her see and think about things in a different way. He might have been content with that dental hygienist, but for all of their “serious” discussions, Janiyah had never once seen him give her full on dimple. Freddy was hers. He’d always been her friend, the one constant man in her life. Was she really not going to fight for that?

  The familiar heady mixture of excitement and recklessness made her skin prickle. Maybe he didn’t want to see her. She’d deliberately given him his space. But, darn it, on top of everything else she missed talking to him.

  She rushed into her apartment and picked up the biography he’d convinced her to buy at the bookstore. That way it wouldn’t be so obvious that her goal was to end up in bed with him. With a deep breath and mental pep talk, she knocked on his door.

  It swung open a few seconds later. He stared at her over the top of his glasses. “Yes?”

  She was supposed to play things cool, but it was difficult if he insisted on looking so positively delicious in pajama bottoms and a tank top.

  “Want some company?” she said in a forced breezy tone.

  Surprise flashed in his light brown eyes. Then he smiled, not full dimple, but it was enough to melt her heart. “Since when have you asked? You usually push me aside and come in.” He opened the door wider and let her in.

  Instead of entering, she frowned. “Am I really that rude and inconsiderate?”

  He reached out and pulled her in. “You do tend to think the world revolves around you, but you’re not intentionally rude or inconsiderate.”

  She stood close to him and tugged on the edge of his shirt when he tried to pull back. “Is that why you never asked me out?”

  “I never asked you out,” he said slowly, “because we’re friends.”

  “Friends go out.”

  “Not when the female has placed the male so far in the friend zone she asks him to buy tampons.”

  She cringed and let go of his shirt. “Okay, that was one time. And you said no.”

  He chuckled, full on dimple. Yes!

  “Da
mn right I said no. I can only take so much.”

  He closed the door and walked to the couch. His television was muted, the stack of books he’d purchased on the coffee table. Surprisingly, the romance novel was the one open on the table.

  “You’re reading that?” She sat beside him.

  “Correction—I’m trying to read it.”

  “That bad?”

  “No, it’s pretty good.” He picked up the book and studied the couple wrapped in an embrace on the inside cover. “I can see the appeal.”

  She curled her feet underneath her and leaned her head on her hand. “But … ”

  “But … I’m anxious to read the biography I bought. I can’t concentrate on this.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Leave it to you to find someone’s life story more interesting than a steamy romance.”

  “I like a good romance.”

  Oh, his voice made her skin tingle. She couldn’t do this anymore. “I miss you.”

  He blinked. Once, twice, then cleared his throat. “You see me every day.”

  “You know what I mean. Ever since … we haven’t talked, and I miss you.”

  He let out a heavy breath and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “That’s why I didn’t want to go there. I didn’t want things to change.”

  “I do. You already told me that you want me. Well now it’s my turn, and Freddy, I want you so bad.”

  Something flashed in his eyes, and it wasn’t regret. “We work together,” he said.

  “No one will know but us.”

  He stared at her so intensely for what felt like hours. His eyes projected all of the uncertainty going through his mind. She unbuttoned the top two buttons of the old sundress she had on. His fiery gaze lowered to where she lightly rubbed her chest above her breasts.

  Quickly his eyes focused on her face. The passion in his eyes made her suck in a breath. In an instant he went from the boy-next-door to irresistible temptation. Desire aimed at her, and shining so bright, it sent heat between her thighs and made her breasts ache for his touch.

  “This isn’t a game,” he said. “I don’t just fall into bed with someone lightly.”

  “You’re only making me want you more.”

  He licked his lips; she bit hers to fight the urge to retrace its path. “I can give you a lot more,” he said.

  She moved closer, until only the barest space separated their faces. His cologne intoxicated her, his warm breath caressed her chin, and the coiled sexual tension in his body inflamed her senses. He was cocked and ready to pounce … on her.

  “How much more, Freddy? Don’t be afraid to give it to me, because I’m not afraid to take it.” She leaned in to kiss the side of his mouth. His body trembled. When she pulled back she couldn’t suppress the smile on her face. After today, he wouldn’t dare try to brush aside what they had.

  She moved to get on her knees, but his hand shot out to seize her arm. “I’m going to fuck that cocky smile right off your face.”

  Her eyes widened as excitement sent a rush of desire straight to her center. “Do it.”

  Within an instant his mouth was on hers. This time she was ready for Freddy’s demanding kiss. Craved it. She fed off his hunger, anxious to bring him to his knees and tear down any barriers he tried to put between them. His thick arm wrapped around her waist as he swiftly lifted her from the couch. She yelped with excitement, thrilled by his strength.

  “You’re gonna do a lot more yelling,” he said in a gravelly voice.

  “Make me scream.”

  Heat flashed in his eyes. His arm tightened around her waist before he kissed her again. His tongue was urgent as it plunged past her lips. Janiyah was vaguely aware of them leaving the living room and going into the bedroom. He unceremoniously dropped her on the bed. She leaned back on her elbows and waited in anticipation. He jerked up the hem of her dress.

  “Spread your legs.”

  The demand was soft, but the power was undeniable. Her thighs parted, her wet flesh throbbing. He slid his hands up her legs and tugged her underwear down, before he pushed her knees farther apart. Slowly, the tips of his fingers glided across the sensitive skin of her inner thigh. The feather light touch sent trembles through her overheated body. Her back arched. With each agonizing inch his fingers made toward the juncture of her thighs her legs spread further.

  His teasing fingers drifted along the crease between her thigh and her sex. A gasp rushed past her lips as she bit her lip in anticipation for his touch. She yearned for him to touch her there again. Instead, he retraced his route. His withdrawal made her ache for his touch even more.

  “Freddy,” she gasped.

  He lightly slapped the inside of her thigh. The sting, coupled with the vibration so close to her core sent another tremble through her.

  “Fredrick.” His eyes were dark, his voice low.

  She grinned. “Freddy.”

  Cocking a brow, he took another trip up her thigh, this time lightly brushing the wet curls of her sex. Her body tensed, but like before he pulled away.

  Taking her hand, he tugged her into a sitting position. In a swift motion he unbuttoned the rest of her dress and pushed it off. Again those torturous fingertips wreaked havoc on her as he traced the edges of her bra, lightly brushing her nipples protruding beneath the satin cups.

  “Take it off.”

  “I want you to take it off.”

  His eyes narrowed. With the speed of a professional, he unfastened the clips and tossed it across the room. She couldn’t hide her gasp of surprise, but it was short lived as he filled his hands with her breasts. A low moan escaped as he expertly massaged the slight weight before gently pinching the sensitive tips.

  His head came down and she lifted hers for a kiss, but he swerved and latched onto her neck. When his teeth gently nipped, her head fell back to give him unblocked access.

  Her hands shot to his waistband. She struggled to push down his pants and get to the thick erection she’d fantasized about since seeing it.

  Freddy pushed aside her fumbling attempts and stepped back. He took off his clothes with the same efficiency as he’d removed hers. She couldn’t speak when he stood, naked, before her. His thick, muscled, and compact body was beautiful in all its glory.

  “On your knees. On the bed. Facing me.”

  She scrambled to comply. As she did as he’d ordered, he put on a condom from the nightstand. His arm snatched around her waist as he pulled her against him. At the same time his mouth took hers in a kiss. His hot skin burned into hers, his erection pressed against her belly. It was heaven, perfection, and so where she wanted to be. In his arms, wrapped up in Freddy.

  In a blink, she was on her back. He bent her knees, spread her legs, and without preamble slid two fingers past her honeyed lower lips.

  Her eyes rolled to the back of her head. “Freddy,” she sighed.

  “Fredrick.” He pulled out his fingers, replacing them with a strong thrust of his hard dick.

  It was magnificent. “Freddy!”

  Spreading her knees farther apart, he pushed in and out, fast and hard with no denial of who was in control. Soft moans slipped past her lips; her fingers dug into his tight biceps as he claimed her body. Her moans grew louder, becoming cries of pleasure that made her thankful Mrs. Driggers had decided to leave. This was Freddy, completely possessing her, making her scream. It brought her close to the edge. Her body began to tremble.

  “Fredrick,” he said through clenched teeth.

  She shook her head, and rolled her hips. He was her Freddy, always would be. She wouldn’t let this change it, wouldn’t let him take the one thing she clung to. He was her friend, her support system, the man she loved.

  He pulled out, and she shouted her disbelief. Not when she was so close. His mouth replaced his length, engulfing her clit as he sucked deeply. His stiff tongue swirled around the erect nub, lavished in the creases between her swollen outer lips and plunged within her before his entire mouth covered her quivering flesh
yet again.

  “Oh, God, yes! Freddy!”

  His head lifted. “Fredrick.”

  He flipped her over and entered her from behind in a long, sure stroke. One arm hugged her waist, the other hand grabbed her shoulder.

  “Fredrick,” he ground out.

  “Fre…” She couldn’t speak. Only shout in ecstasy as he stroked her from behind.

  The hand around her waist moved to spread her legs. Without missing a beat, two of his fingers surrounded her clit. He gently squeezed; she bucked.

  “Fredrick.” His voice was rough, almost a growl.

  He squeezed again, continuing to pound within her. This was not Freddy. This was a guy who was completely turning her out!

  He slapped her behind. Her body shook as her climaxed neared.

  “Fredrick,” she cried out.

  He squeezed her clit. Her vision blurred, her toes curled, and her breathing stopped as her body bucked from an earth shattering orgasm. His hand moved to lock onto her hips and his pace hurried. He slapped her butt again. Her body clenched around him. Another wave of wetness rushed over his hard flesh, brought on by the pleasure and slight sting from the action. He groaned, a low rumble that gradually grew louder.

  His body tensed, his dick flexed within. “Hell yeah!” he shouted.

  They collapsed on the bed. She was too sated to care that he hadn’t called her name. He didn’t have to, as long as she got to do that again!

  CHAPTER 22

  Fredrick woke at six a.m. with Janiyah’s head beneath his chin as she slept on his chest. The night before was perfect, better than anything he could have imagined. And he’d imagined sleeping with her more times than he cared to admit. After years of living in the “friend” zone with her, he couldn’t push back or deny the male pride coursing through him after thoroughly putting it down. And he’d put it down. Front, back, and sideways, he’d had Janiyah in many of the ways he’d imagined, and still wanted more. The memory of her voice crying out his name instantly hardened his dick.

  Insisting that she call him Fredrick was something he’d wanted to do since that day in his office. She’d always flirted with the nickname Freddy, said it in such a teasing way he couldn’t help but accept it. But he hadn’t wanted her teasing in the bedroom. He didn’t want Janiyah to see Freddy, the guy who let her have free rein to his apartment and was on call to make ex-boyfriends jealous. He wanted her to see Fredrick. The man who made her body quiver as she screamed in pleasure.